Rice accepts matchup vs. Air Force in Armed Forces Bowl

Rice Owls quarterback Taylor McHargue (16) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half.

Photo By Scott Halleran/Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 30: Jordan Taylor #15 of the Rice Owls pulls in a catch in front of a UCLA Bruins defender during their game at Rice Stadium on August 30, 2012 in Houston, Texas.

Photo By Scott Halleran/Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 30: Taylor McHargue #15 of the Rice Owls throws a pass against the UCLA Bruins during their game at Rice Stadium on August 30, 2012 in Houston, Texas.

Rice accepted an invitation Saturday to play Air Force in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

Brant Ringler, executive director of the Armed Forces Bowl, formally invited the Owls to their third bowl in the last seven years during a news conference at the "R" Room at Rice Stadium.

The Armed Forces Bowl will kick off at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 29 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.

Rice (6-6, 4-4 Conference USA) won five of its last six games, including four in a row, to become bowl eligible for the first time since playing in the 2008 Texas Bowl. It will be the 10th bowl appearance in the school's history.

"There's an enthusiasm and pride right now with everybody associated with Rice," coach David Bailiff said. "I've never been more proud of a bunch of young men that stuck together and made this possible. They refused to lose."

Rice holds a 1-5 all-time record against Air Force, with three of the meetings coming when both schools were members of the Western Athletic Conference from 1996-98.

Air Force (6-6, 5-3 Mountain West) is making its sixth consecutive bowl appearance under coach Troy Calhoun, who spent one season as offensive coordinator with the Texans.

Air Force's triple-option offense was second in Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing, averaging 328.8 yards per game.

The Falcons have finished among the top 10 nationally in rushing every year since 1986. Running back Cody Getz leads the team in rushing with 1,213 yards, which includes three games with more than 200 yards.

"They are great at running the football," Bailiff said. "It presents a challenge."